Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator (Tim Urban, TED2016)

What it is

Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator is a talk by Tim Urban, writer of the blog Wait But Why, given at TED2016 in February 2016. In about 14 minutes, with his stick-figure drawings, he describes his own lifelong procrastination, including a 90 page university thesis written in the last few days. It is one of the most watched TED talks ever and is genuinely funny.

The ideas that matter most

• The Rational Decision-Maker and the Instant Gratification Monkey. In his picture, a procrastinator's brain has a sensible planner and a monkey who only wants what is easy and fun right now. The monkey keeps grabbing the wheel.
• The Dark Playground. The place where you do leisure activities when you should not be: it feels bad, not restful, because of the guilt.
• The Panic Monster. The only thing that scares the monkey is a looming deadline or public embarrassment. That is why last-minute bursts happen.
• No deadline, no Panic Monster. The most serious procrastination is on things with no deadline: your health, your relationships, a career change, starting a side project. Nothing forces action, so years can pass.
• The Life Calendar. He shows a life of 90 years as a grid of weeks, a reminder that time is limited and worth paying attention to.

Honest limits

The talk names the problem brilliantly but offers few strategies. Treat it as the "why", then use a practical book or roadmap for the "how". Also, constant difficulty starting tasks together with low mood, or long-term trouble with attention, is worth raising with a doctor.

Who it suits

Students who pull all-nighters, people who postpone applications and big decisions, and anyone who needs a laugh about a habit they know too well.

How to use it well

• Watch it, then list three things in your life that have no deadline but matter.
• Give each one a small step and a date this month.
• Share your dates with a friend so there is a gentle Panic Monster.

Pair it with on Sefism

• Follow Focus, habits and time.
• Read Solving the Procrastination Puzzle for strategies.
• Use Knowing yourself to choose which long-term goals are really yours.
• For advice on your own situation, ask Tauseef a question.

Best for: understanding procrastination, and noticing the things with no deadline.